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I'll be back for the 5th time next year! A wonderful experience, whether you are a novice or experienced paddler. Variety of waterways and the not so typical, brief 'sight-seeing stops' along the way make this a totally delightful adventure with April and Jody to keep you safe and happy - bring your singing voice, too.

A beautiful place and great guides made this an amazing adventure! We paddled on tidal salt water rivers, in a swamp, in a marsh and around rice fields. We visited area sites and towns. We were served great food at our home location where our lodging was comfortable (double rooms with private bath) and we even had a washing machine. Highly recommend this trip!

My Knowles Island kayaking week was a great experience. I felt as if I were at summer camp, albeit with a bit more luxury! We explored new waters, learned new paddling skills, met and enjoyed awesome new friends, returned each day to very nice lodging for hot showers, savored yummy meals prepared by someone else, took great early morning walks and delighted in interesting side trips and night programs. There was great camaraderie among the participants and our terrific leaders, April Childress and Jody Tinsley. I feel most fortunate to have had April and Jody as our leaders. They are so knowledgeable and complement each other seamlessly in their leadership: Jody, for example, is the map guru and April the kayak assigner. They taught, encouraged, organized, modeled skills and safety, and were enthusiastic and professional throughout. And not least important, they had a great sense of humor and were just plain fun. Jody played the guitar and serenaded us in group sing-alongs. They impressed with their passion for nature and for the importance of our caring for this beautiful world we have. I recommend this program with enthusiasm and hope to repeat it some day.

April Childress and Jody Tinsley our instructors for the week of kayaking at Knowles Island made this one of the most enjoyable kayaking trips ever!!! Their instruction was thorough as well as their personal interest and encouragement to all participants. The evening programs were informative and enjoyable and gave much new information on local history and culture. Staying in the lovely cottages at Palm Key was perfect. The morning walks nearby were a fabulous way to jump start our days. I loved the diversity of our kayaking trips going from rivers to swamp areas to the intracoastal waterway. It was an exceptional week and one that I hope to repeat. Patti Brame

What a pleasure! Jody and April were able to make this experience fit well for all group members during kayaking and were always helpful in improving our skills. They are warm and caring people who are able to make decisions that protect your safety. The evening programs were not only entertaining but also informative. Food and accommodations could not have been better. This is a must do program for those who enjoy a varied kayaking experience and I plan to repeat.

This is a wonderful program! Outstanding in every aspect--accommodations, food, field trips, learning. But the most exceptional aspect was the group leaders. I always felt challenged and yet supported...best possible combination.

More smiles, less miles....unexpected adventures to be had around every bend....now I need to find fellow kayakers were I live. Everyone associated with this program was a beautiful soul. Accommodations superior . . . Check
Food indescribable . . . Check
Kayaking experiences/new skills to last a lifetime . . . Check
Unexpected happenings . . . Check
The weather for Nov. was exceptional, cool morning walks, warm sun out on the water....nice! Great Beginning Experience.

Every thing about this trip was first rate. The meals were terrific and local, the kayaking among the salt marsh rivers and streams was fascinating, the accommodations were superb. Most of all, the guides, Jody and April, really made the trip memorable. Even as a somewhat experienced kayaker, I learned a lot about paddling efficiently and the opportunity to paddle a different stye boat every day was a real bonus. Jody and April have a tremendous knowledge of the history and flora and fauna of the area and their backgrounds as educators and native South Carolinians really made their stories about it fascinating. I would also heartily recommend getting up a little early for the pre-breakfast walks with Jody and April.
John from Boston

The leaders of this kayaking program have created a course that not only expands your kayaking abilities, but also a program that expands your mind about this beautiful, historic area of our country. We were exposed to food from the area, various types of water to paddle and thought provoking conversations regarding the Civil War. The program leaders, Jody and April, were outstanding in every way.

I learned so much in this program. Not only did I learn to be a better paddler, I learned a great deal about the history and culture of the low country. The scenery was beautiful, especially on the black water paddle. The leaders and presenters were very interesting and knowledgeable. All were warm and friendly. I would recommend this program both to the beginner paddler and the more experienced paddler. The leaders accommodated all skill levels.

This was our first trip with Road Scholars, and what a trip it was! We could not have had a better experience. Our guides, April and Jody, were extremely knowledgeable and made sure everyone was having a great time; and Vernon, our chef, spoiled us every day with a variety of local dishes. We would highly recommend this trip.

I was asked to fill in for a person who was not able to attend with a friend who is a active Kayaker. I am a novice and did not know what to expect. I was challenged, encouraged and given positive feedback in kayaking and met some wonderfully inspiring people. I loved my experience with Low Country Kayaking through the Road Scholar programs

This was my third kayaking expedition with Road Scholar and I can truthfully say that I learned more about kayaking on this trip than I did the other two put together. The week was perfect. Great guides -- April and Jody are the best! Great accommodations -- staying in a beautiful cottage beside the marsh is wonderful. Great food -- Vernon is a true chef. And finally, a great group that bonded the very first day.

This was a wonderful program. Diverse settings for kayaking: salt marshes, small river, open channel. Each day offered an opportunity to try and different size and style kayak. Instructors Jody and April were terrific: very knowledgeable, engaging and encouraging. The accommodations were gorgeous (far beyond my expectations), the regional menus were delicious, and the food was abundant (grits! oysters! cornbread! bbq! fruit cobbler!). Other than one overnight rainstorm, the weather in October was beautiful. Still, be sure to bring a rain jacket or waterproof shell of some kind. I would also advise leaving cotton shirts and pants at home -- bring synthetic fabrics, which dry much faster than cotton. cycling wear would be fine. Great experience!

This trip is a great way to see a very special place in the US. The instructors were great kayakers and group leaders who made the trip very enjoyable. The setting is beautiful and relaxing. Highlights included black water rivers, dolphins, and oyster shucking. It was fun for novices and more experienced paddlers.

Great program. Kayaking in salt marsh, small river, swamp, and open channel. Four days, four boats. Great instructors, great food. No experience necessary, although fitness and coordination definitely help. Lots to learn, lots to enjoy.

I have just returned from my second RoadScholar program Kayak the Low Country in South Carolina. Run, don't walk to your computer or telephone and sign up now for this fantastic program! The trip leaders April and Judy, Jan from Life Tides Institute and her husband Jack and their jack russell dog Abby, the chef Vern and his Dad John, all were tops! Very professional, helpful, positive, concern for our safety at all times, and fun. The other participants were real and get to know and kayak with! Thanks to all of you for making beautiful memories for us on this trip.

Have taken many, many trips with RS (previously Elderhostel) - this was one of the best! Great food, wonderful accommodations and paddling with April and Jody always a joy, they're conscious of physical limitations you may have, work around them and still make it totally fun. Highly recommend this one. Renate Oliver

Wonderful trip! Loved sharing the time with Jody, April, Vernon, Jan and all the members of this adventure - great people. The cottages (homes) were beautiful, the food was awesome - the weather was less than perfect but the group had a fantastic attitude and we made the best of each day. Very nice variety of kayaking - marsh, swamp & open waters. Excellent learning experiences and very fun group activities. This was my 1st RS trip, and my next one is Croatia in Oct - can only hope all future trips are as pleasant as my 1st!

Low Country hospitality combined with great cuisine, above-average accommodations, and wonderful excursions make this a great program. Skilled instructors make paddling enjoyable for beginners and others who have tried the sport. The staff are welcoming, fun, enthusiastic and caring. This program's ability level is as advertised. It met and exceeded my expectations. Go paddle the Low Country! It's fun!

I learned more about kayaking on the first day of this experience than I did on all four of the previous roadscholar experiences, two of which were full time paddling and the other two part time paddling. Since all paddling was solo, there was no need to have another paddler compensating for weak skills. Having the opportunity to paddle several brands and lengths of kayaks was also good.

Kayaking the Low Country of South Carolina was a wonderful experience. The comfort of the accommodations, the helpfulness of the group leaders and the enjoyment of kayaking the beautiful streams, rivers and marshes of the low country made for a terrific adventure I would highly, highly recommend.

Wish I had taken this program years ago prior to purchasing my equipment. Program instructors explained use of the equipment and allowed opportunities to practice kayaking in a variety of situations based on each individual persons level of abilities. The accommodations allowed periods to connect with other participants. The food was outstanding, a real reflection of Southern cooking. My mind and spirit are still at Palm Key..such a nice feeling to linger on after returning home.

Jay from Connecticut
Date Attended: 03/31/2013-04/05/13
Number of Programs attended: 2
What can I add to the already noted excellent comments. Everything about the program was enjoyable, fun. The staff was professional, caring, fun, and drew everyone into the activities. The participants were welcoming, and a joy to be with. I would highly recommend this program.

Kayaking the Low Country (SC): An excellent program for the sports minded who are interested in a wide variety of kayaking venues. However, the excellence does not stop there: excellent homemade food, wonderful accommodations, superb staff, enlightening lectures/presentations. A great value.

outstanding experience... lovely people, lovely place.
i felt very safe and comfortable with my fellow scholars and instructors. all the participants were fun - loving and gracious!
the leaders and staff went above and beyond to be accomodating to any special needs and anticipated so many little things !!!
how do you make a bad weather day educational and fun??? that's a gift!!! my sister and i love our new friends from Germany to CT, MN to WV!!! recommend highly!!

I highly recommend "Kayak the Lowcountry" -- the scenery, the kayaking, the accomodations, and especially the two leaders: April Childess and Jody Tinsley. April and Jody's enthusiasm and love of both kayaking and the low country of South Carolina were infectious. Their leadership styles complimented one another - educational, fun, and adaptable to the group's needs and desires.

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